I'd like to see the Eagles play a full game with their foot fully on the throttle the whole game. We've typically played hard for a quarter here and there, and it's been enough to get the win. It won't be enough if we play the Bills or Chiefs later on. You really need to play a full game against the truly elite teams.
It feels like once we get "far enough" ahead, the defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, eases off the gas a bit to not embarrass the other team. "We've got this. We can back off a bit and turn it up again later if we need to. We don't need to embarrass them." Which is a very modern, new-age, way to coach. The problem is he's not coaching in a modern, new-age area. He's coaching in Philly.
There's no "Let's not embarrass them" attitude here. There's a "Crush them!" attitude here. "Embarrass them?" Oh, heck no. Humiliate them! Crush them! Destroy them! Make them wish they'd never come here!
Gannon's approach earns him favor with opposing coaches. It keeps games closer. It keeps them from getting embarrassed. It helps them keep their jobs. "We were just a play or two away from winning." It doesn't alienate them. It's a smart, business-like way to coach defense for an aspiring head coach. It drives the Philly fanbase a bit crazy though.
We prefer the Buddy Ryan-style coach who never backs down and plays at full throttle the whole game and doesn't care if he humiliates the opposing coaches. Jim Johnson, our way earlier DC, could have been up by thirty and he'd still be throwing blitzes at the opposing team.
Jonathan Gannon eases off the throttle once he's confident things are under control. He lets teams back into games. He lacks the killer instinct. We're still winning despite it, but at some point, that easing off the throttle will come back to bite us.
I understand why he does what he does. It makes sense for him. And it's fine in some cities. It's just not ideal here in this blue-collar region where there is no mercy for an opponent. At least not in the fan's eyes. And especially not a big rival.
Still, a win is a win and I'll take any win. I would like to see us play at least one game flat-out for the whole game though. We've not played a complete game yet this year. If we ever do, then the sky's the limit.
We've got a bye this coming week, then four winnable games (Steelers, Texans, Colts, Commanders) before running into the Packers and Titans who now look pretty beatable. Then what looks like a big game with the Giants. We'll finish with the Bears, Cowboys, Saints, and Giants again. I'm not sure there's a game left on the schedule where the Eagles won't be favored. That's a weird feeling here.
Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!
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